Search delay as more ice falls

The search for the son of a Wolverhampton solicitor who was swept away by an avalanche in Nepal was today called off due to further ice and rock falls.

Mountain rescue teams braved "dangerous" conditions trying to find 32-year-old Duncan Williams, who disappeared along with five other men when their camp was hit by a wall of snow more than 22,000ft up.

Sherpa mountaineers and a helicopter rescue team have been hampered by the weather and will resume the search tomorrow morning in the Everest region of the Himalayas.

Mr Williams disappeared along with two Swedish climbers and three Nepalese Sherpas on Ama Dablam mountain on Tuesday. Sherpa members of the expedition searched the area soon after the avalanche and reported the camp was either buried or had been swept away.

A helicopter rescue team spotted what looked like shoes and clothes when they flew to the scene yesterday.

Ten more rescuers made their way up the mountain today to continue the search. Expedition leader Clive Roberts is co-ordinating the effort, which had to be called off this afternoon.

The Foreign Office said today Mr Williams and a Nepali Sherpa were on a climb organised by British firm Adventure Peaks.

In an online diary, the Adventure Peaks team recorded 'There has been a lot of snow deposited on the mountain' during an earlier climb in the trek.

The four other people in the camp were in a separate team not connected with Adventure Peaks.

Mr Williams is the son of Clive Williams, a former senior partner at Manby & Steward solicitors based in St John's Square and who now works there as a consultant.

Gavin Southall, senior partner at Manby and Steward, said: "It is with great sadness that we heard the news of the possible loss of Clive William's son Duncan.

"Clive Williams is a much-loved member of the firm and community. We all send out our sincere best wishes to Clive and his wife Corrie."

Adventure Peaks director David Pritt said a search helicopter saw wreckage of the camp yesterday but no men.

"To date, Duncan is presumed missing and our sympathies are with his family and friends as they wait to hear future news," Mr Pritt said.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an avalanche on November 14 at Camp Three of Ama Dablam mountain in the Himalayan range of Nepal in which a British national, Duncan Williams, has been reported missing.

"Next of kin have been informed and we remain in contact with them."